Checkmating The Incessant Road Accident At Jaleyemi Junction Osogbo, Message To Osun Governor - Report

Based on data that are at best conservative estimates, Nigeria is a country with a serious and growing road accident problem that is about the worst in the world. From highways to Trunk B and C roads, Autocrash have become daily occurrence in Osun state, Nigeria at large, with many victims losing their lives and others sustaining various degrees of injuries. 

Like every other parts of Nigeria, Jaleyemi junction, a converging points for network of roads (Olaiya, Gbodofon, Isale Aro and Isale Osun) at Odi-Olowo area of Osogbo, Osun state capital, has become a 'regular site' for road accident, with a record of not less than three cases occuring weekly. One out of these three cases results into loss of live(s) while the others result into victims sustaining serious injuries. 

This ugly menace of major and minor crashes occuring virtually on a daily basis has become a source of growing concern to pedestrians, motorists and business owners along the road. 

According to an okada rider who spoke with VAM News on condition of annonymity, not less than seven cases of road crash occured in the month of November, 2020. 

A fact-finding mission by our correspondent revealed that, although the roads leading to the junction are in good condition, it has notwithstanding remained a death trap for commuters while government and relevant stakeholders have ignored the complaints of road users, leaving them to their fate. 

While speaking with our correspondent, Samuel Adeyemi, a shop owner in the area decried the incessant cases of accidents at the junction and lamented that on several occasions, it has caused 'avoidable' loss of lives.

 

"Accident at this junction has become a worrisome situation. At least two times in a week, accident occurred at this place and sadly, it usually results into avoidable loss of lives. He said. 

Adeyemi, a trader of five years in the area further expressed sadness that government have never shown concern to the plight and ugly experience witnessed by commuters and residents in the area.

According to him; "It is quite sad that government are showing that they are less concerned about the situation here. As a matter of fact they have never shown concern or readiness to address this ugly situation". 

Observers have queried that despite the good state of roads intersecting at Jaleyemi, then, what could have been the causes of the unending accidents?

In the view of a resident in the area, Adejumoke Afe, impatience and reckless speeding by okada riders remains the major factor responsible for the crashes. Noting that victims are usually okada riders and their passengers. Although she could not recall the last time a major accident occurred at the intersection, Adejumoke revealed that a minor case happened on the 1st of December 2020, involving two okada riders carrying one passenger each, with both riders and one passenger sustaining minor injuries. 

A nursing officer at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic hospital who spoke with our reporter on condition of annonymity disclosed that reckless driving by private car owners and okada riders accounts for the major cases referred to the hospital. Sighting that victims are mostly okada riders who had been hit by private cars. She stated further that traffic congestion as well as violation of traffic codes by motorists are also causes of accident at the junction. 

While stressing the need for proper orientation for road users on safety culture as possible solution to the menace of accident at Jaleyemi, Abdulganiyy Kafayat, a student of LAUTECH College of Health Sciences suggested that mental evaluation be carried out on drivers before licenses are being issued to them. She also stated that urgent and proactive measures must be taken to reduce the rate of crashes at the junction, maintaining that government should put in place traffic light system, as this she believes would put a permanent stop to the rising cases of accident.

Another commentator, Sobowale Samson was of the opinion that traffic police and O'tram officers be deployed to the junction to control and direct traffic flow as well as bringing to justice offenders and violators of traffic codes.

Finding lasting solution to the menace occuring at Jaleyemi is a collective effort of both government and commuters plying the roads intersecting at the area. These commuters are enjoined to shun reckless driving and overspeeding. Abiding by traffic safety rules is also important in total eradication of this menace.

Calls and text messages sent to the Commissioner for works and transport's telephone hotline were not responded to. READ ALSO... #EndSARS protest resumes despite dissolution by IGP in Osogbo

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